Basketball shoes provide the traction needed to perform at your best on the court. However, with regular use, they get dirty and smelly, and the grip gets ruined as well.
As a basketball player, I know the feeling when your sneakers get worn off and lose their utility. You want them cleaned as soon as possible, right?
Worry not! I’m gonna guide you through all the simple ways to clean your basketball shoes and make them grippy again.
So, tag along!
How to Clean Basketball Shoes?
Maintaining the grip and traction of basketball shoes through regular cleaning is crucial for every athlete. Otherwise, it can ruin your game and even cause injury.
However, the best way to clean basketball sneakers is to hand-wash them using a soft-bristled brush and mild soap.
Players wear basketball shoes everywhere– in training, games, and even while walking around the streets. That’s why regular cleaning is required, as it will secure the grip and keep the sneakers in top condition for a long time.
But how can you make the shoes look just like a brand-new pair?
Don’t be troubled!
I’m going to guide you with the easy and effective ways to clean basketball shoes which have worked for me successfully for years.
Go through our epic guide on can you wear Basketball shoes casually.
So, go through the following steps to clean your basketball kicks efficiently:
- Take the laces and insoles out of the shoes and put them aside for cleaning.
- Remove all loose dried mud, dust, or pebbles from the shoe surfaces and the traction using a bristled brush.
- Wipe the shoes with a slightly dampened cloth or sponge if they got wet mud or soil on them.
- Make a cleaning solution by adding 3–4 drops of mild liquid soap or detergent to a small bucket of water. You can use baking soda or specialized shoe cleaner instead of detergent. You can also add white vinegar to remove the smell of sweat.
- Rub the shoes gently with a cloth or sponge after dipping them in soapy water. Use a soft-bristled brush or an old toothbrush to remove any stubborn stains.
- Make sure to scrub off the dirt from the inside, outsole, and grooves properly.
- Don’t soak the shoes entirely in the water-soap mixture, as it can ruin the shoe designs and colors.
- Rinse the foam and soap residue off with water or wipe them with a damp cloth.
- Clean the insoles, inserts, and laces using the same process.
- Afterward, put the cleaned shoes, laces, and insoles in an air vent away from direct sunlight or heat for air drying. You can hang them if necessary.
No matter how dirty or smelly your sneakers are, following these steps while cleaning will make them look new again.
Check out the easiest way to know how should your Basketball shoes fit.
How To Maintain Your Basketball Shoes?
Proper maintenance is needed to keep your basketball shoes functional on the court. They can lose the required grip and traction if you don’t pay attention to your court sneakers.
Consider the techniques mentioned below to keep your shoes looking and functioning as new:
- Store the sneakers properly. Don’t just throw them in the gym bag after the game; instead, put them in a locker with proper ventilation to prevent them from getting smelly. Stuffing them will also ruin their shape. Instead, you can store them in storage bags separately.
- Don’t wear your basketball shoes outside the court. Wearing them outside frequently will make the sneakers lose traction and color faster while decreasing longevity.
- Keep the shoes clean by wiping them regularly after each game. It’ll help you maintain the grip and make them easier to clean later.
- Don’t let any stain or wet dirt set on the chutes. Try to remove the damp dirt or stain as soon as possible, as it will be harder to get rid of them after drying.
- Add shoe deodorizers to prevent the shoes from getting stink with all that sweat.
- Avoid using a washing machine, dishwasher, dryer, and heating vent while cleaning the shoes. Don’t use harsh detergents, fabric softener, or bleach either. As these can deform and discolor the shoe materials used.
Following these things will help you improve the shoes’ traction and maintain your performance while hooping the ball.
Follow our guide on how to clean HOKA shoes.
How to Clean Canvas or Suede Basketball Shoes?
To prevent any unwanted damage, you should take some precautions or special cleaning techniques considering the material of basketball shoes.
As for sneakers, with canvas or suede upper, you can clean them similarly described above. Unlike other shoe materials, they often need vigorous scrubbing.
Canvas and suede shoes tend to absorb more water than others; squeeze them with a dry paper towel if they get saturated. Stuff a dry towel or newspaper inside the sneakers to keep them in shape while drying.
How to Clean Leather Basketball Shoes?
Basketball shoes with leather uppers are a great choice for players who want a stylish pair with excellent durability. And cleaning leather shoes are pretty much the same as others. 
You just need to keep in mind the following things while cleaning:
- Never put them on the washing machine or a heat dryer, as they can wrap the leather.
- Always scrub the surface gently with the brush using mild soap.
- Use leather conditioner or shoe polish to restore color and shine.
These precautions will prevent your leather shoes from being damaged while cleaning.
How to Keep White Basketball Shoes Clean?
Cleaning white basketball shoes can be quite a hassle, as they tend to retain stains more than other shoes.
Regular cleaning of the white shoes is crucial to maintain their look and utility. But some stains are too stubborn to wash off from the white surfaces.
Fear not if you are also dealing with these stubborn stains. By following some easy ways, you can get rid of them.
Here are the ways to clean your white basketball shoes:
Use Toothpaste
Using toothpaste is an excellent way to remove any stains from white shoes. Before cleaning with soap, brush the white parts with toothpaste gently in a circular movement.
Besides, you can add toothpaste to the detergent-water solution. Increase the detergent-toothpaste ratio for your shoes with knit materials or with stubborn stains.
Use Baking Soda and Hydrogen Peroxide
A mixture of soda and hydrogen peroxide can easily remove any stains from your shoes while restoring the white color. Make a paste by adding 1 tablespoon of Hydrogen Peroxide and 2 tablespoons of baking soda to a small amount of water.
Apply this paste using a toothbrush throughout the entire shoe or the stained area.
Leave the paste on the shoes for several hours to dry out properly.
After that, simply take off the dry paste or wipe them with a damp cloth without leaving any residue.
While cleaning the shoes, you can use any of the ways mentioned earlier and restore the white color in no time.
Final Words
Cleaning your basketball shoes periodically will not only remove the dirt and smells, but also improve the grip and traction of treads.
It doesn’t matter how high-end your shoes are; they need to be cleaned and stored properly for better performance on the court.
I hope this article will fulfill all your queries when the question is about how to clean them.
Leave a comment if you want to know more about basketball shoes.
